Pele lauds Neymar as "genius" ahead of World Cup

Three-time World Cup winner Pele has suggested that Neymar's age should not be an indicator of his standing in the game, and that the Barcelona attacker has now gained enough experience to make a mark on the biggest stage of all this summer.

As part of an interview with the Times of India, Pele said: "In 1958, I was only 17 and I played club football only in my own country. Neymar is 22 and he has the experience of playing in Spain for one year."

"Times have changed now. It helps a player to adapt to different styles of football. I feel Neymar will be a better player following his stint with Barcelona. He has amazing talent."

"And he has the ability to carry the team on his shoulders like he did during the Confederations Cup. The boy is a genius."

Brazil's hopes of winning a sixth world crown, and first since 2002, are thought to hinge largely on the man with 31 international goals for Brazil.